Japan
Current Score
Global Rank
Percentile
Last Updated
Ranking Trend
Japan's rank movement over the last 30 days
Score Analysis
Analysis of Japan's policy signalling profile
Japan's WokeMeter assessment results in a score of 56, placing it moderately high in policy signalling intensity. This score is influenced by the election of Sanae Takaichi as the first female Prime Minister in 2025, which represents a significant gender milestone and boosts the signalling intensity. While Japan's overall dimension scores average around 54.56, the historic achievement of female political representation elevates the overall assessment slightly. Although Japan has limited LGBTQ rights, with no legal recognition of same-sex marriage, recent trends show gradual improvements. Corporate governance reforms and some DEI initiatives also contribute to the moderate-high signalling intensity.
The dimension scores provide a nuanced view of Japan's policy signalling landscape. The Legislative/Regulatory Activism dimension shows the highest signalling intensity, scoring 86.44, reflecting Japan's active legislative efforts. The Speech & Expression Climate and Corporate/Investor Signalling dimensions follow, indicating moderate signalling with scores of 57.24 and 59.28, respectively. However, Institutional DEI Policy Intensity and Education & Curriculum Signalling are lower, at 40.41 and 45.53, indicating less focus in these areas. Media & Platform Moderation and Protest & Activism Salience also contribute to the overall picture of moderate signalling intensity, scoring 44.57 and 51.52, respectively. These scores reveal a balanced approach to policy signalling, with notable achievements in legislative activism and corporate engagement.
Score Breakdown by Dimension
Weighted components of the composite score
Recent Events
Events that influenced this country's score
Okinawa governor urges Japan action after US Marine arrested over killing
Growing anger after US Marine Devin Jacob Ballard was arrested on suspicion of strangling Anna Yagi, 39.
Japan beer giants raided over alleged price-fixing cartel
Asahi, Kirin and Suntory confirmed their premises were searched by Japanese competition authorities.
Tokyo sleep competition offers 2 million yen prize to best sleeper
A Tokyo sleep competition organised by Koala offered ¥2 million to the best sleeper, highlighting Japan’s long-hours work culture and sleep deprivation.
Kagan, Soai win Nobel Chemistry Prize for solving chemical asymmetry puzzle
Scientists Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for solving a long-standing riddle of asymmetric “mirror image” molecules, a discovery hugely important for pharmaceutical manufacturing, the award-giving body said on Wednesday. Soai, 76, is Japanese, and Kagan, 95, is French, and their work built on a discovery by the 19th century French chemist Louis Pasteur. “This is the most exciting day in my life, I am very glad to share this prize with professor Henri Kagan,”...
Japan PM Takaichi defends skipping G7 online meeting
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi defended her absence from a Group of Seven online meeting, responding over social media to some critics who questioned why she did not attend despite her apparently free schedule. “This was a last-minute meeting arranged by the chair, France, and allowed for substitute representatives. I understand that UK Prime Minister Burnham did not attend in person and had someone fill in for him, and that European Council president Costa was also absent,” she posted...
Growing outrage in Japan after US Marine arrested in woman’s killing
The 20-year-old soldier denies the charge as protests held on Okinawa and in Tokyo.
'Not again': Arrest of US marine for murder reignites protests in Japan's Okinawa
For many locals on this island, the arrest has brought decades of frustration back to the fore.
If BTS has to serve, why are South Korean sportsmen, artists exempt: ex-lawmaker
A former South Korean lawmaker has called for the abolition of the military exemption system granted to outstanding national athletes, arguing that military service should not be used as an incentive for achievements in sports or the arts. Yoo Seong-min’s remarks came amid controversy over comments made by members of South Korea’s men’s football team, who recently won its fourth consecutive Asian Games title, regarding the military benefits they received. South Korea defeated host Japan 1-0 on...
Chinese travellers go premium, Malaysia appeals to investors: 5 weekend reads you missed
We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. ‘No brainer’: growing trend of Chinese tourists booking business-class flights 2. US to deploy NMESIS anti-ship system on Japanese island closest to Taiwan 3. Chinese art takes long march home from US museums 4. Malaysia offers Chinese buyers Singapore’s comfort at prices lower than Thailand 5....
US Marine arrested over murder of woman in Okinawa, Japan
Japan's government lodged a formal protest with the US, demanding that military officials take action.